Beverly Hills, Indio, Redlands and the Coachella Valley Water District are facing a $61,000 fine for failing to meet their mandated water conservation tier standards last month.

Californians cut water use by 26.1 percent in September, marking the fourth consecutive month that residents and businesses surpassed the 25 percent conservation goal set by Gov. Jerry Brown to deal with the relentless drought, according to figures released Friday by the State Water Resources Control Board.

"Millions of Californians have saved water during the summer months, which are the four most critical months to save water," board chair Felicia Marcus. "This is important and wonderful, and we are thankful for all of the effort by individuals and agencies."

The four urban water suppliers who were fined did not abide by the new restrictions. The board has the authority to issue fines of $500 per day for violations.

The fines reflects the rising severity of California's four-year drought that has prompted the state to demand cutbacks.